They crack. You know it, I know it, we all know it.

I doubt it could be done, but it would be real interesting to know how many "53" blocks were produced and how many of those have cracked to date. Also, it would be nice to know what were the truck used for: towing, commuting, did they have performace add-ons?

Did they make 400,000 of these blocks and have "only" 4,000 cracked? If so, that would "only" be a 1% failure rate.

I just think it would be nice to know what the statistics are.

Michael

 

Hard to do that when Dodge denys there is a problem. Standard line when you go in with one, "I never heard of a Cummins block cracking, first one I have seen."

 

Uh, no....NOT everyone knows they crack.

 

I also have won the lottery jackpot. Leaky 53. Why, why are there so many winners? I purchased my truck in 2/03. I had 87k on it at the time. Went through the tranny problem at 90k. Took them 3 times to get it right. I nervously put on another 18k miles. I noticed at first my resevoir was loosing coolant. Did not get nervous at first until I started reading about the 53. This caused me to do a "See what I have check". The 53 stood out like a bad nightmare! This is when I found Stameys site on-line. Bingo! Hit the nail on the head. Look under my truck on the passenger side right below the curveture of the block and there it was. You do not want to know the next words out of my mouth!

Well this has been over a month. It took Cummins 5 weeks to get back with. I have spoke with 3 people over that period of time. They are willing to go 1k towards a block replacement. I think it can be from any garage that is willing to do it. Does not hardly seem like enough. I have considered using a "Castmaster" stiching product by locknstitch. I trying as much as possible not to drive my truck until I resolve the situation.

I got burned, and really do not want to see anybody else get burned. It does not take a rocket scientist to do the research and agree that it is a major issue! Just get on-line and type into any search engine. Do you think people are making this up! Get your heads out! My opinion may not be valued... but I stand correct on this one. I am living it. My 2-cents!!!

Brian
Missouri

 

My point precisely....good luck Brian.

How many miles do you have??? If its under 100k replacement is supposed to be covered. BTW, this is scaring the hell out of me.

 

I just turned 112k on miles. Looking for a 56!

 

Sorry if this is a repeat, but there is an intruck welding fix to the crack problem I found on another site. Anyone interested?

 

I have seen the option of welding. A very good procedure. I still may go that route. I am looking into the cold method. Lock-and-Stitch.
http://www.locknstitch.com/

 

While welding may be a fine cure, I would doubt that stitching would do any good due to the type of crack and location. This is not a crack on a flat surface, but it cracks where the block makes a 90 degree bend. The stitch would only plug the leak, I have done that before on other engines. The welding will add material so may cure it. How can I put this, if you take an upside down L and pull and push on the longer part, that is the type of weakness here. Normal expansion of the block causes it of course heavy loads increases the expansion and contraction.

One member mentioned looking for a #56 block, well any of them except the #53 is good. My #55 was fine as is the 1997 block that is marked like a 12 valve.

 

Had my truck to the Dodge Dealer to look at the 53 block.....Interesting.

Seems they Have Never Seen a Cummins Block Crack....

Had Never heard of any problems Before this one...


He said he could put in a Factory Rebuilt Engine with a 2 yr 20,000 mi warranty and because I wouldn't have a core engine they could rebuild it would cost me.........$13,500.00

I told the Service Manager that I had been a long time Dodge owner and had just towed my last one to the junk yard. It was a 1977 Tradesman 3/4 ton van with 287,000 mi.s on a 318 ci Auto. That Expierence along with Many miles with a Cummins in (2) Freightliners Hualing steel and (2) International Cabovers Hauling dry van freight, I knew the Dodge 2500 with the Cummins was the Ultimate Truck for Me.


Well after this expierence He will never see My Name on a Dodge Registration Again.

After I get through this one I'll be looking at a Ford with a International Engine.

I do have 2 garages looking for an engine, but so far niether one has had any luck.........seems these Engines and Blocks are in Short Supply...........Wonder Why????

Thank You for Letting Me Rant.........I Needed That.

I'll keep everyone posted.

 

A FORD.....bite your tongue man....them fightin words.

 

Dr. Evil Please Remember I was Talking to a Dodge Dealer Service Mgr. who had been doing His job for Several Years and had Never Heard of a Cracked Cummins. .. or any problems with the 53 Block.

I Figure any one who insist on that Line Deserved Invoking the "F"ord Word.

If he didn't want me to use it in His presence all he Had To Do was be Honest, and a New Engine would Help...........


Not wanting to Offend anyone else with the Dreaded "F"ord Word.

 

You didnt offend me I was just joking around....the fact is if I had a cracked block that wasnt under warranty - Id be saying the "F" word too

The "Never heard of /seen a cracked block in a Cummins" is either just one of those things they say OR shows that they dont know the FIRST thing about these truck. A great number of dealerships are only concerned about profit and couldnt care less about most customers satisfaction. Good Luck.

 

I think it is time to stop all the talk and devise a plan of attack. It is time that DC and Cummins start replacing these defects. What can we do! Let the media know about the problem. Get the 53's to spawn a storm that takes care of itself . It is complete BS! You know it, I know it, DC knows it, and Cummins knows it. Stop the games, and let war begin. Count me in on what ever takes place. This is total cr*p! Tire of the lies! Tired of the paranoia!

Leaky 53 from Missouri!

Brian

 

Well, I have to say I agree with you, atleast in principle.

But the problem is, when you bought the truck from D.C they only promised nothing would go wrong with the major components of the engine for 100K. If you are outside of that......... They have 0 legal obligation to do anything. So.......
By starting your little protest you would not get anywhere legally. The only hope you'd have would be to "shame" them into doing something through lots of bad PR.